Hydraulic brake mechanism



,l Patented-Mir. 11, 1941 uNrrEo STATES- lzaaien PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC BRAKE MEOHANISM George F. Chard, Elmwood Park, lll., assigner of one-half to Joseph M. Sachs, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 221,939

20 Claims. (CI. 18a-452) More particularly the invention relates to a compensating oran adjusting means which will l@ be' automatic in operation in compensating brake drum distortion, thereby maintaining practically constant, when the brakes are released, the clearance between the brake shoe and drum.

'l'o the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features oi novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement oi the several parte hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawlner illustratlne this invention, and in which leisure l is a diagrammatic view of a mech anism ci this character constructed in accordance with the principles oi' this invention.

liiyure b is a detail' sectional view, on an enlariged scale, ci the brake operating mechanism shovvine-the position the parts will assume when the brakes are applied.

llllyure d is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the position the parts will assume when the brake is released.

lllieure i is an enlareed sectional view of the compensator. 'lhe present invention is particularly adapted :is thoueh not necessarily limited in use in connection with the hydraulic brake mechanism shown and described in my co-pending application Serial #56,414 nled December 28, i935 novv Patent alcalde, Feb. 6, 1940.

The brake opointing,r mechanism consists essentially of a cylinder Ill which may be oi any de-` sired sine and conilguration and supported in any desired or suitable manner. The cylinder is open at both ends and in the present exemplification of the invention there is provided intermediate the ends, preferably midway thereof, an end or middle wall II dividing the `cylinder into two chambers I2, in which chambers the operating mechanism is located.

'ihe construction and operation of the mechanism in each of the chambers I 2 is the same and the description of one will apply as Well to the other.

illuid is supplied to the chambers I2 from any suitable source in any suitable manner preferlili ably through a pipe I 3 that communicates with a passage I4 in the Wall II and this passage I4 communicates with another passage or opening I5 through the wall II, the latter forming communication between the passage Il and the 5 chambers I2. Arranged in the chamber I2 is a piston I 6 and a piston seal l'l abuts the piston. These piston seals Il may be constructed of any suitable material preferably rubber or other ilexible material and they `are adapted for movement 10 inwardly and outwardly Within their chambers The piston It is connected by means of a rod I 8 to a brake shoe l 3 of the usual type and which is provided with brake lining 2e upon its lace. 15 The usual tension spring ZI. connects the brake shoes I il to cause them to move out of contactv with the brake drum 22 Whenever the brakes are released. The brake shoes lil are pivotallysupported by their other ends as at ifi. in order to compensate lor weer on the brake Y lining lill and to permit the bralre shoes to be removed from contact with the brake drum only a predetermined distance, there is provided a valve member lli one ol which is arranged in.v 25 each oi the chambers il., "Ii'l'ils valve member may be a concave convex ilexible disc preferably iormed ci rubber or other suitable material andll adapted to have its edge portion ill engage the The diameter ol the valve it is less than the diameter oi the chamber l2 so that the valve member may be i'lattened out within limits, as shown more particularly in Figure li. There is also provided a cage or cup shaped member i6 35 which is held in place against the Wall ll preferably by means of a spring 2l and the cage or member Zuoverlies and encloses the exible valve member il'. lihe purpose of this cage or 'cup shaped member 26 is to Ilirnit the action of flo the flexible valve 24. The cage or cup shaped member 2b is preferably provided with a circular edee portion or harige 2li anda plurality oi openings 123 formed in the Wall thereof.

The valve 24 is normally of a concavo convex 45 shape and its inherent resiliency tends nor mally to cause it to maintain such a formi. l

In assembling the mechanism the valve is placed in the chamber I2 and the cage 2B is placed thereover and the cage is retained in position by means of the spring il bearing against the cage and also against the piston seal I l'. i yIn operation with these Darts in this position, uid from the pipe I3 will be discharged 56 4i'ace ol' the Wall ll. .tol

the chamber l2 on the other side of the valve' is sufficient to equalize the pressure of the' fluid entering the port I5 on the first side of the valve. Under th'ese conditions the pressures will .be then neutralized and the valve 2li will maintain its original shape and the peripheral edge thereof will be in contact with the wall ll. Obviously when the chamber l2 is to be initially filled with fluid as above described, it is necessary to permit the air in the chamber l2 to escape. This is accomplished through the bleed opening Valve 52.

The brakes will then be applied so long as the uid pressure is prevented fromI escaping back through the pipe I3. This is accomplished by the operation of the ordinary brake pedal.

In the event of a wear between the brake shoe and the drum it is necessary to compensate the same and this is accomplished by increasing the volume of uid on the Vother side oi the valve and which operates against the piston seal il. During this operation the fluid pressure en= tering through the port I5 will move the pe-1 riphery of the valve 25s away from the wall ii to permit the iiuid te escape therearound and into the chamber i2. This condition will exist until the iiuid pressure within the chamber l2 and on the-other side of the Valve 2t will overcome the pressure through the port l5 so that the iiuid in the chamber I2 will be confined therein and will be prevented fromescaping around the valve 24. That is, the valve 2t will then act as a'check valve to prevent the escape of the `fluid from the chamber i2.

When the fluid pressure is released in the pipe i3 the valve 2Q being seated, none of the fluid in the chamber l2 can escape back to the I line i3. When the' pressure in the pipe i8 is released the pressure in the chamber i2 acting upon the valve 2S causes the latter to hatten out to the position shown in Figure 3 thereby permitting the brake shoe to be moved out oi contact with; the brake drum; and the extent of movementI o the brake -shoe away from the drum will be controlled or limited by the space or distance between .the wall il and the concave side of the valve 2Q. The distance which the shoes Ig are withdrawn from the drum 22 is determined by the space between the facepoi the wall Il and the concave face oi the valve In the present exempllication of the invention there is shown a passageway 32 (to be later described) which of course must be closed and opened at the proper times in order to 'permit of such operation of the valve 24 and the mechanismfor opening and closing the valve and the effect of the operation of the 'valve 26 under the influence of such mechanism will be later described.

No matter what the thickness of the 'brake shoe lining 20 is, the samewill be withdrawn only suilciently to provide the necessary clearance whenever the brakes are released.

In order to compensate for drum distortion I ter of this application is provided and operates automatically. r

'I'he compensator consists of a. body portion 30 which is hollow as at 3l and is provided with Y a tubular stem 32 projecting beyond each face of the bottom of the hollow portion of the body. A diaphragm valve 33 extends across the hollow portion 3l and is secured in position by means of a cap member 3ft secured to the body portion and clamping the diaphragm 33 by its edges against a shoulder 35. The portion of the stem 32 which extends into the hollow por tion 3i of the body 35i preferably terminates a short distance below the shoulder 35. A valve plunger 3d is arranged within the cap member 3ft and is adapted to engagea shoulder 3'! for' limiting the movement of the plunger in one direction. The stem 3B of the plunger 36 is provided with a head 3Q which projects into a recess d@ in the cap member and a washer or member di engages a reduced portion l2 of the stem 323 to form an abutment for one end. of a spring 63 which surrounds the stem 38, the other end oi the spring contacting the plunger 3G. The member or abutment il is removably secured to the stem 38. The body portion of the compensator projects through an opening tl in the wall of the cage or cup shaped member 2G and is provided with a ange Gil adapted to contact the wall of the cage to limit the movement oi the compensator in one direction.

A flange 4@ encompasses the opening 6l and also a portion oi' the body of the compensator. Openings il are provided and extend laterally through the wall of the body portion 35 and are adapted to communicate with openings 1S ln the flange to form a fluid passage.l

The other end oi the stem 32 which projects beyond the outer face of the body member 35 forms a means whereby the flexible valve 2G and the compensator may be connected together, the stem projecting through a suitable opening in the valve 24S and being frictionally held in position.

Referring to Figure 2, the parts are shown as they `would appear when the brakes are applied. When the brakes are released the flexible valve 2d and the compensator are forced .inwardiy by movement of the piston i@ under the influence of the spring 2l. The pressure thus caused by the spring 2l pulling the brake shoe iQ against the piston i6, forces the piston I6 and the piston seals lll into the chamber i2,-

thus creating pressure in the chamber against the valve 2t. This pressure will remain constant so long as the brakes are released but the pressure-is n us when the brakes-are-released the comjpensator and flexible valve 2l will be forced ln- 7.5

till

dil

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. its natural shape as shown in ldlgure il.

Wardly and the valve 24 will be forced against` the wall Il and the diaphragm valve 33 being forced against its seat 49, the valve 24 being substantially fiat against the face of the/Wall as shown in Figure 3. The diaphragm 33 is forced yagainst its seat through the medium of the spring 43.

Assuming now: that the brake mechanisms have been filled with fluid and have been air bled, the initial adjustment will be eiected in the following manner. Y

When the pedal is depressed, iiuid will be forced through the pipe I3 against the flexible valve 24. -This Will force the flexible valve and the compensator into the chamber l2 overcoming fluid pressure therein and forcing the piston seal l1 and the piston I6 outwardly against the brake shoe i9, causing the lining 20 to contact the drum 22. At this point the diaphragm valve 33 will be upon its seat 49.

if, however, the flexible valve 2d assumes its shape as shown in Figure 2 before the brake shoe has contacted the drum then fluid Will be iorcedbetween the valve 24 'and the wall Il until the brake shoe lining contacts the drum 22 and the brake shoe lining will then be moved` against the drum.

.ds pressure" is increased as in applying the brakes,` the diaphragm valve 33 will be forced od ci its seat 49 due to pressure of fluid overcoming the tension of the spring`43.

lt is to be understood that the chamber or compartment t or the compensator in .which the "plunger tti and stem 3B operate contains only air.

The parts will now all be in the position shown in Figure 2.

assume now that the lining it wears away. lis this happens, a minute amount of fluid will seep past the valve it into the chamber l2 com.- pensating for this wear. The huid cannot return from the chamber li because before the brake shoes are released from the drum, the diaphragm valve it will he closed. IThe bralre shoe clearance is determined by the variable space in the valve ill.

liet it now be assumed that the bralres have been heated and that adjustment has followed due to the expansion ol the drum.

The drum will cool and the contacts pressing `against the braise shoe which in turn presses against the piston it and piston seal l'l will cause a slight rise in pressure of lluid in the chamber li over that caused by the spring il. pthis pressures moves the diaphragm valve ori oi its seat dll thereby allowing some oi the duid in the chamber it to pass haelt into the line.

ld'ull adjustment is eiiected by applying the braises. The pressure thus caused would. hold the diaphragm it oli ci its seat and the lien ible valve ill-would then taire its shape as shown in Figure 2v. The iiezrible valve it is shapedas shown in the drawing (idg. 2). uillfrus when pressure is equal on both sides oi it taires lhe shoes will then be against the drum all oi" `the parts will be in the position. as shown in ure llt will therel'ore be seen that when the bralres are released the original clearance tween the bralre shoe and the drum will be inI erlect, and each time the tralies are applied a new and complete adjustment is accomplished.

.li'luid rlows past the ilerible valve it only when panded.

the brakedrum wear is such asto permit a great-,f er quantity of uid to enter the cylinder l2.

Fluid' ows through the compensator only after the brake shoes have contacted the drum and then only if abnormal conditions exist in the drum, such for instance as the drum expanding under the influence of heat, Vor the drum becom,

ing distorted, due izo-pressure of self-energizing' shoe, and as contracted after having been exl It will be seen from this that merelytaking up ,for wear is not suiiicient and that the adjustment is necessary for causes other than Wear; therefore complete adjustment Will be effected automatically at each application. of the brakes.

The compensator is provided With/two chambers 5||-3|.v The chamber 3| contains iluid and is always under pressure caused bythe spring 2| as'before explained, While the chamber 50 contains air and also the parts 36, Stand 4|, and also the spring 43. f

The diaphragm valve 33 separates these cham- 'bers and is sealed tight by the cap 34 so' that' no fluid can enter the chamber 5U. f

The reduced portion 42 of the stem 38 to which the abutment 4| is secured is Wider than the thickness of the vabutment so that when the valve opens the plunger is free to move through the keeper or abutment until it contacts the cap 34.

It will thus be seen that when the pressure is reduced, as when the braises are released, the spring i3 will rorcethe plunger 36 against the diaphragm valve 33, forcing the latter onto its seat @9. The keeper or abutment di serves the important purpose of limiting the' degree of tightness that the diaphragm lll-l is pressed against its seat, which is lust enough to seal the valve. lrlillois avoids distortion of -the valve. 'lhe cage or cup shaped member it acts as a guide fon the ilegible valve lll and the compensator, and it also limits the movement of the same while the spring il serves the double purpose olf holding the cup shaped member or cage it in position and also lthe piston seal il against the piston it.

'l'he cylinder is provided with a valve lit which controls a bleeder outlet lili that has` communication with a bleeder groove so as to permit air in the cylinder to escape when the initial supply oi iluiol is being placed into the cylinder.

'While the preierred iorrn oi the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made inthe details or construction and in the combination nd arrangement oi 'the several parts, scope oi the claims, without departw the spirit oi this invention.

i t is claimed as new is: l. Mechanism for automatically compensating the wear in braise shoes ci iiuid actuated brakes,

embodying a cylinder having au inlet in com lnrmication with a source oi supply oi fluid pres sure, a piston in the cylinderconnected with a breite element, 'a rleiiible valve ior controlling the inlet, said valve adapted to be opened by lluid rueslnirek to 'admit :duid into the cylinder to move the piston in one direction, means tendlng normally to move the piston in the opposite direction causing the ,valve to close said inlet, a portion oi' said valve while in a closing position being movable to augment the `pressure of the iiuid in the cylinder while entrance 'of fluid into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented,

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and compensating means'operating automatically to relieve the fluid pressure within the cylinder, the last recited meansl embodyinga` supplemental valve mechanism influenced by iluid pressure in the cylinder.

2. Mechanism for automatically compensating the wear in brake shoes of fluid actuated brakes, embodying a cylinder having an inlet in cornmunication with a source of supply of fluid pressure, a piston in the cylinder connected with a brake element, a flexible valve for controlling the inlet, said' valve adapted to be opened by fluid pressure to admit fluid into the cylinder to move the piston in one direction, means tending normally to move the piston in the opposite direcp tion causing the Valve to close said inlet, a portion of said valve While in a closing position being movable to augment the pressure of the iluid in the cylinder while entrance of uid into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented, compensating means operating automatically to relieve the fluid pressure within the cylinder, the last recited means embodying a'passage through said valve, and a supplemental valve influenced by fluid pressure in said cylinder for controlling the said passage. f

3. Mechanism for automatically compensating t the wear in brake shoes of iluid actuated brakes,

embodying a cylinder having an `inlet in communication with a source of supply of fluid pressure,y a piston in the cylinder connected with a brake element, a flexible valve for controlling the inlet, said valve adapted to be opened by fluid pressure to admit fluidv into the cylinder to move the piston in one direction, means tending normally to move the 'piston in the opposite direction causing the valve to close said inlet, a portion of said valve while in a closing position being movable to augment the pressure of the fluid yin the cylinder while entrance of luid'into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented, compensating means operating automatically to relieve the `fluid pressure within the cylinder, the last recited means embodying a passage through said valve, a supplemental valve member for controlling the said passage, and means tending normally to move the supplemental valve in one direction, the said supplemental valve being movable in the opposite direction by fluid pressure,

"in opposition to the last said means.

fi. Mechanism for automatically compensating the Wear in brake shoes of fluid actuated brakes, embodying a cylinder having an inlet in communication with a source of supply of fluid pressure, a piston in the cylinder connected with a brake element, a flexible valve for controlling the inlet, said valve adapted to be opened by' `fluid pressure to admit fluid into the cylinder to move the piston in one. direction, means tending normally to move the piston in the opposite direction causing the valve to close said inlet, a portion of said valve while in a closing position being movable to augment the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder while entrance of fluid into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented, compensating means operating automatically to relieve the fluid pressure within the cylinder, the last recited means embodying a passage through said valve, a diaphragm vvalve for controlling said passage, and means tending normally to move the dlaphra :m in a direction to close said passage, said diaphragm being movable in the opposite direction by fluid pressure and against the stress of the last said means.

5. Mechanism for automatically compensating munlcation with a source of supply of fluid pressure, a piston in the cylinder connected with a brake element, a flexible valve for controlling the inlet, said valve adapted to be opened by fluid pressure to admit iluid into the cylinder to move the piston in one direction, means tending normally to move the piston in the opposite direction causing the valve to close said inlet, a portion of said valve While in a closing position being movable to augment the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder while the entrance of uld into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented, compensating means operating automatically to relieve the iluid pressure within the cylinder, the last recited means embodying a supplemental valve mechanism influenced by uid pressure in the cylinder, and means for limiting the movement of the supplemental valve.

6. Mechanism for automatically compensating the wear in brake shoes of fluid actuated brakes, embodying a cylinder having an inlet in communication with a source of supply of iluid pres'- sure, a piston in the cylinder connected with a brake element, a flexible and floating valve for controlling the inlet, said valve adapted to be opened by fluid pressure to admit fluid into the cylinder to move the piston in one direction, means for limiting the movement of said valve, means tending normally to move the piston in the opposite direction causing the valve to close said inlet, a portion of said valve. While the latter is in a closingA positionbeing movable to augment the-pressure of the fluid in the cylinder while the entrance of fluid into the cylinder beyond the valve is prevented, andcompensatlng means operating automatically to relieve the iluid pressure within the cylinder.

7. Mechanism for automatically compensating the wear in brake shoes of fluid actuated brakes, embodying a cylinder having an inlet connected with a source of iluid pressure supply, a flexible valve within the cylinder for controlling said inlet, a piston in the cylinder, means interposed between the piston and the valve for limiting the opening movement of the latter, said valve being yieldable under pressure through said inlet to permit fluid pressure to enter the cylinder to move the piston in one direction. means for moving the piston in the opposite direction, the movement of the piston in the last said direction operating to cause the valve to close said inlet, a. portion of the said valve being operable to augment the iluid pressure in the cylinder while maintaining any additional supply of fluid out of commingling relation with the fluid already in the cylinder, and means operable automatically to relieve the pressure of the initial supply of fluid which is trapped in the cylinder.

8. Mechanism for automatically compensating the wear in brake shoes of lluid actuated brakes,

embodying a cylinder having an inlet connected with .a source of fluid pressure supply, a flexible valvewithin the cylinder for controlling said inlet, a piston in the cylinder, means interposed between the piston and the valvev for limiting the' lno the fluid pressure in the cylinder while maintainine. any additional supply of iluidout of commingling relation with the fluid already in the cylinder, and means operable automatically to relieve the pressure of the initial supply of fluid which is trapped in the cylinder, the last recited means embodying a passage through `the said valve, and a supplemental valve for controlling the said passage, said supplemental valve being disposed within the cylinder and being controlled in, its operation byl the fluid pressure in the cylinder.

li. Braking mechanism embodying a cylindery provided with an inlet connected to a source of supply of fluid pressure, a piston in the cylinder, a brake drum, a brake element operable by the piston, a flexible convex concave shaped valve positioned to overliesaid inlet, a retainer for y mechanism in addition to said valve Within the lil cylinder and automatically operable under predete t, ,l ed conditions forvarying the fluid pressure in tbe cylinder.

lil. Br mechanism embodying a cylinder provided with an inlet connected to a source of supply oi nuid pressure, a brake drum, aA piston liti lill

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in the cylinder, u .brake element operable by the `piston and movable toward and away from the co-operoiting element, a flexible convex concave shaped valve 4positioned to overlie said inlet, e. retainer lor limiting the movement of the valve, said tieni-ble valve adapted to permit fluid to pass into tbe cylinder to move the piston in one direction and to prevent tbe return oi tlie duid, means i-or moving the piston in tire opposite di rection, said vulve adopted to flatten ail-ter bruning operation, and means compensating any change in tile eirtcnt of movement ol? one oi the bralre elements toward and away from tbc said coeoperating braise element, the last recited means embodying n, passage tlirougii the valve and n supplemental valve outonmtically operable to control tlie sind passage vvlieieby tbe iluld pressure in tne cylinder will be varied.,

il. ldrnlzing moellon-ism embodying a cylinder provided vvitb inlet connected to n source ol supply ol' iluid pressure, a piston in tile cylinder, iso-operating bralre elements, one oi said ele-- ments being operable by tbe piston and movable tovrnrd rid avvcty trom. the other element, a :delle ible convert concovo .crimped valve positioned to overlie said inlet, u. retainer l'or limiting tlie movement ol tbc vulve, sold flexible valve adopted to permit iluid to pass into tite cylinder to move the piston. in one direction und to prevent tbe return of tbe iluid, means lor moving the .piston in the opposite direction, sold valve adapted to flatten alter bra-lining operation, und means compensating any change in tbe crient ol movement ol one oi said brake elements tcwards and avvay from the other bralre element, the last recited means embodying o. com-pensador `connected to and movable with. said valve, sind compensator embodying a :passage `lor rellevind the duid pressure in the cylinder and a supplemental valve for controlling said passage..

1-2. Braking mechanism' embodying a cylinder yprovided with an inlet connected to a source of supply of fluid pressure. a piston in the cylinder,

vco-orperating brake elements, one of said elements being operable by the piston and movable to- Ward and away from the other element, a ilexible convex concavo shaped valve positioned to i overlie said inlet, a retainer for limiting the movement of the valve, said flexible valveadapted to permit fluid to pass into 'the cylinder to move the piston in one direction and to prevent tbe return of the fluid, means for movi-ng the piston inthe opposite direction, said valve adapted Ito flatten after braking operation, means compensalting any change in the movement of one of the `brake elements toward and away from the co-operating brake element, the last recited V means embodying a compensator connected to and movable with said valve, said compensator embodying a passage for relieving the fluid pressure in the cylinder, a supplemental Valve for controlling said passage, and means tending normally to, move the supplemental valve in one direction, said supplemental valve being movable in the opposltedirection by fluid pressure in the cylinder. r

13. A cylinder for av fluid pressure actuated brake, said cylinder having a fluid inlet, a pair of valves for independently controlling said in let, one of said valves adapted to open under fluid pressure to permit the iluid to enter the cylinder, both of said valves being operable to close said inlet to the entrance of fluid into the cylinder, the other of said valves being operable under fluid pressure to establish communi- 3 cation between Lthe cylinder and said inlet, a pistonin the cylinder, movable in one direction by fluid pressure, means for moving the piston in the opposite direction, and a bralre element influenlced by tbe movement of said piston.

li. il cylinder lor a fluid pressure actuated lrrulre, said cylinder having a duid inlet, a pair ol valvesior independently controlling said inlet, one of said valves adapted to open imder nuid pressure to permit tbe :duid to enter tbe cylinder, botti oil said valves being operable to close said inlet to the entrance of nuid into the cylinder,

tbe other oi said valves being operable under fluid pressure to establish. communication between tbc cylinder and said inlet, u piston in tbe cylinder, movable in one direction byiluld pressure, means lor moving tbe piston in the opposim direction, and u brutte element influenced by the movement oi said piston, one oi the said valves being llerdble and couver concave in siiape adopted to be flattened over said inlet .by fluid pressure in tire cylinder.

ld. il. braise cylinder forliydrnulic breites liar ing a Wall provided with an inlet connected vvitli a source of supply oi fluid under pressure, a perlorated cup member adjacent said vvall, a piston in vthe cylinder, a flexible couver. concave shaped valve in said cup overlying said inlet, said valve adapted to permit fluid to pass into said cylinder to move said. piston in one directiom comoperatmg bralre elements, one oi said elemente benin' mounted .by tire piston und movable toward itin-d olivar' from tl'le other and cooperating breite clement, sold valve adapted to :flotten out after bralring operation, and means lor compensating any clitrnge in tire entent of movement of one ol said breite elements tov/ard and away trom tlie co-operatlnv brake element, the last said means' emying a compensator embodying a dil dill

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passage through said valve and a supplemental valve for controlling said passage.

16. A brake cylinder for hydraulic brakes having a wall provided with an inlet connected withy a source of supply of uid under pressure, a perilorated cup member adjacent said wall, a piston in the cylinder, a iiexible convex ooncavo shaped valve in said cup overlying said inlet, said valve adapted to permit duid to pass into said cyl- 10 inder to move said piston in one direction, co-

operating brake ele-ments, one of said elements being actuated by the piston and movable toward and away from a co-operating element, said valve adapted to flatten out after the braking operation, and means for compensating any change in the extent of movement of one oi? the brake elements toward and away from the c'ooperating brake element, the last said means embodying a compensator embody-ing a passage through said valve and a supplemental valve for controlling said passage, the said supplemental valve embodying a diaphragm, and means for moving the diaphragm in one direction, the dlaphragm being movable inthe opposite direction by iluid pressure in the cylinder.

17. Braking mechanism embodying a brake element movable toward and away froma cooperating brake element, means for compensating any change in the extent of movement of one of .the brake elements toward and away from the co-operating brake element, said compensating means embodying a uni-tprovided with a closed chamber having an inle'ft and outlet opening, a diaphragm for controlling said opening,

a plunger, means for moving the plunger in one direction to move the diaphragm to close said opening, said diaphragm operating under fluid pressure through said opening to move the plunger in the Opposite direction, and means for lim-- n iting the movements oi' the plunger.

18. Braking mechanism embodying a. brake element movable .toward and away from a cooperating brake element, means for compensating any change in the extent of movement of the brake element toward and away from the co-operating brak-e element, said compensating means embodying a unit provided with a closed chamber having an inlet and outlet opening, a diaphragm for controlling said opening, a plunger. means for moving the plunger in one direction to move the diaphragm to close said -opening, said diaphragm operating under iluid pressure through said opening to move the plunger in the opposite direction. means for limiting the movements of the plunger, said plunger having a reduced portion to provide spwcedabutments, the last said means embodying a member disposed 6 between said abutments.- to be engaged lrespectively thereby, an additional abutment engaged by said member, and resilient means for maintaining the said member against the last said abutment. l0

19. lBraking mechanism embodying a brake element'movable toward and away from a cooperating brake element, means for compensating any change in the extent of movement of one of the brake elements ltoward and away fromy 15 theV co-operating `brake element, said compensating means embodying a unit provided with a closed chamber having an inlet and outlet opening, a diaphragm for controlling said opening, a plunger, means for moving the plunger in one 20 direction to move the diaphragm to close said opening, said diaphragm operating under fluid pressure through said opening to move the plunger in the opposite direction, means for limiting the movements of the plunger, said plunger hav,- g5 ing a reduced portion to provide spaced abutments, the last said means embodying a member disposed between said abutments to,be engaged respectively thereby, an additional abutment en.- gaged by said member, and resilient means for 30' maintaining the saidmember against the last v said `abutment, the first recited means comprising the said resilient element. l

20. Braking mechanism' embodying a brake element movable toward and away .from a co-v :5 operating brakef'element, means lfor compensating any change in the extent of movement of one of the brake elements toward and away from the co-operating brake, element, said compensating means embodying a unit'providedwith a n closed ch-amber having aninlet and outlet opening, a diaphragm for controlling said opening,

a plunger, means i'or moving the plunger'in one. direction to move the /d-iaphragm to close 'said opening, said diaphragm operating under uid pressure through said opening to move the plung. er in the opposite direction, and means for limiting the movements of the plunger, the said unit comprising hollow separable sections for-ming said chamber. the periphery of said diaphragm being anchored between said sections. y

GEORGE F. CHARD. r 

